Winter solstice.

 The winter solstice is tomorrow, Tuesday. Saturday it was muggy and the children ran around in short sleeves. This morning it was 32 and frosty when we woke up. Today feels like Christmas. We are still aglow from activities and family togetherness this weekend. If only Our of Town Son could have been there it might have been perfect. 

I am slated for a dental appointment this morning so this will be quick. I have reminisced about Christmases past this morning while I was cutting up the fruit for ambrosia. My childhood, my children's childhoods, nostalgia, nostalgia, nostalgia...

Beginning to plan our Christmas dinner. Anything I cook will be too much. So I'll just go for it. 

Silly us at the family Christmas gathering. 

Husband and his sisters. 

Peace on earth good will toward men.

Shalom. 

Long time coming.

 I've been having a difficult time getting back to this space. By necessity I have had to change my email address. Navigating old sites and ways to get to them is an ongoing challenge. 

After feeling fairly free to roam about the territory this summer we are back on a bit of hunkering down. We go where we must and avoid unnecessary exposure to the general public. 

We did attend a niece's wedding this month. We stayed close to the Ole Miss campus and were able to take some nice long walks while there. So here are a few photos from being with siblings that weekend...

Sister Amanda and me in front of the Lyceum. 

Sister Mimi and me at Rowan Oak, home of William Faulkner. 

Though the home was not open to the public we were able to walk all about the place and even take a nice long hike. 

New things in my life since I last wrote here. I have a house cleaner now. Today she is home sick. I hope it is not the virus. 

So Wilson and I cleaned our own bathrooms today. Then he mowed the lawn and I scrubbed the grout in the kitchen. I scorched our lunch, too. 

Also new are our  iPhones. We are slowly learning how to navigate them. Next will be a new computer. I am trying to work up to ordering it. 

Our summer garden is mostly played out. Only okra, two jalapeños, and a cherry tomato are still in the ground and producing. 

I hope I can find my way back here next time I have something important to say. 

Until then, Shalom. 

The feels.

It is a lucky day. Found three pennies in the parking lot leaving the YMCA this morning. Always makes me think of my Dad. He loved it when I found any money on the ground. A penny saved is a penny earned. Even one found is good. He and Mom lived with us after the big storm that blew their house down. (Well, almost down.) So every time I find a penny, whether on heads or tails, I pick it up, say thank you Dad, and put it in my poor box when I get home.

This afternoon I was putting dishes away from the washer. When I opened the cabinet I caught a slight glimpse of a plate I had painted for Mom for Christmas years and years ago. She displayed it on top of her china cabinet in her dining room. As I glimpsed the plate I was momentarily transported there, to her dining room. I had a strong urge to call her and talk to her. Then I thought of finding the pennies this morning and I just welled up. 

Dad's birthday is Saturday, May 15 . 101 years ago he was born. He died the first day of 2013. Mom died on the very day she was 98 and a half, March 15, 2019. 

Most days I can think of them, no problem. But today. Couldn't find any of my peeps that were available to talk. And so I write. And weep just a little. And thank God for such great parents. 

Happy birthday Dad. Love never dies. 

Shalom.

 

New normal

It felt so normal today. Started the day by attending a Mississippi Public Radio Broadcast

at our local Farmers Market. Felder Rushing, The Gestaltd Gardener, did a live show. Anyone can call in and ask a question. 

Yes, I did ask a question in person. 

He is very entertaining. His knowledge is expansive. 

 

Some of my Master Gardener friends and Felder. 

From there I went to lunch with my girlfriends. First time in well over a year.

It was almost a record for the time we spent talking. 

This evening I attended a local celebrity/artist "Art in the Garden". 

I bought a new bangle for my walls. Not sure where I'll hang it. 

Today felt so good and almost normal. 

Namaste. 

Back into the wild.

 

First road trip since the virus took over. We drove to the coast Friday and stayed with Beach Boy and his family. 

It still feels risky to walk into a restaurant without a mask - like we are going into the wild. Most people did not have masks this weekend. It feels like there should be dramatic music playing to indicate something bad is about to happen, like in the movies. 

I don't know why my photos load in reverse order but, oh well. 

After breakfast we visited a park where the girls had fun playing.

Millie took our picture. 

Wilson had the "Hangover III". That is one biscuit with eggs, sausage, and gravy.

This was the "Sun up" breakfast. That biscuit was huge. 

I almost ate the whole thing. 

Silliness with a son. 

Millie and her mom sat at the high table. 

Sunday morning we dined at Fill up with Billups. 

Wilson and Sweet Pea both enjoyed their meal. 

Saturday lunch with some siblings. Bacchus did not disappoint. My shrimp scampi was scrumptious. I didn't even eat half the pasta. It was so so much. 

I didn't get my fill of hugs, but I got as many as I could fit in. We played games. My favorite was Rummicube. The sibs have different rules than Beach Boy's family. It was a little confusing, but fun nonetheless. 

The weekend was over in a flash. 

Then we drove home. 

We went on a walk. I watered my plants. 

I washed the dirty clothes.

I wish I had some little bodies to hug right now.

Shalom. 

Almost spring.

Pre-spring storms moved through last night. Thankfully we were missed this time. With well over an inch of rain and some pretty strong breezes we move forward. 

Finally this week Wilson is getting some energy. Ah, spring time. The sap rises. The seeds get planted. We walk out to our little raised beds multiple times a day to see if anything is sprouting yet. 

Potatoes went in the ground March 3. Today we can stand and count a dozen showing themselves. My radishes and sugar snap peas are all up. Carrots and spinach are coming up in shy-fashion.

I have set up this little warming station to help germinate.

I have planted these seeds in hopes of selling plants at my Master Gardener sale in April.

Basil and dill are cooperating. 

Cone flower, Queen Anne's Lace, bell pepper, and Mexican sunflower - not so much.

I haven't checked my giant sunflower seeds today but have had one show up, so far. 

Cooler weather came in after the storm and that will not help my efforts.

Company coming in waves over the next week. Oh happy day! 

My #2 vaccination was secured this past Monday.

Our travel plans are developing.

Shalom. 

Snapshots of the week.

Tuesday morning was weird. Wilson had the raging burps. Heartburn. We ate breakfast and went about our usual routine. Got dressed. Ready to walk. Wilson put his walking shoes on. When I was ready to roll he told me he wasn't going to go. 

This is when things started to go south. I almost went on the walk without him. But. 

Something made me step from the kitchen back into the living room.

Are you alright? Take my pulse. 

Will you go to the clinic if I call?

I'd rather go to the ER in case it's my gall bladder.

When the term ER was invoked everything changed. I went into stealth mode. 

Get in the car. I'm going to the bathroom and grab my purse.

I scared him a little driving to the hospital. It was fast. 

The entire time we were amazed at every step that this was something other than indigestion.

My mind (his, too) played the game of "it is going to be embarrassing when they send us home with Pepcid". 

Before they came to take him back for the heart cath I told the nurse to bring me back the right one. I would know it was him by the Mardi Gras tattoo on his ankle. She slyly said "I noticed that. I was impressed." 

Sister Laura rescued me from having to spend the wait by myself. I didn't know I needed her so much. But I did. She was a blessed distraction of what was going on. She was also my interpreter of medical information at a time when straight thinking was escaping me. 

Daughter surprised me by arriving just as I was leaving the hospital parking lot the day of. Out of Town Son arrived to spend the night. Daughter stayed long as she could. Then we hugged for the first time in a year. I can't even describe it. A deep hunger was sated. 

Alls well that ends well. Excellent care, 3 stents, and an all expense paid night in the ICU and he came home the next day. 

Out of Town Son and I spent the morning in the hospital parking lot waiting for the jail break. Beach Boy arrive just as they paper work was being completed. 

He got to stay with us that first night home.

Family. Nothing better. They took care of me.

Friends joined in to pray for us both. 

Immeasurable appreciation for all those that love us. 

Shalom. 

 

Deep freeze 2021.

Azaleas. 

Couldn't put our garbage out. Frozen shut.

Down spout.

Bumper icicle.

Snowy garden.

Icicles our front.

Garage icicles. 

Icicles on privet. 

Not over, yet. 

Namaste. 

 

Why Thursday?

 I'm having a dippy little moment in an otherwise okay week. Staying positive is an all consuming job right now. Trying to take care of myself this year...so far I have been to the dermatologist. No, it wasn't skin cancer. Just a funky wart on may face. Removed along with several aging spots. I have been to the eye doctor...skipped the appointment last year due to the Covid. I am sporting a new pair of spectacles. I am in need of an internal medicine doctor and am determined to find one this year. 

Days seem a little long right now even though sunlight is not. Lots of days on the sofa reading. Nights are spent binging Netflix series. Some of my activities are picking up virtually. Man. That even sounds sad. 

Made a quick trip across town to the butterfly garden this afternoon. Had to take stock of a few things. When we were about to leave an old man drove up for directions to the Memorial Gardens Cemetery. He wanted to "visit" his wife but had been blocked on the route he usually took. We tried to give him directions the best we could. It was just sad. He seemed so confused. 

Without success I tried to call a friend this afternoon. She must be in the country = out of range. I feel like sisters are busy this weekend so don't want to disturb or interrupt. 

I have to say that my reading has been pretty excellent, so far, this year. Finished two already and on a third read. My second book, Educated by Tara Westover we a great read. I need a bookclub just for this book. I need to talk about it. For days. Right now I'm reading about Henrietta Lacks. Oh. It is interesting. 

It is deep pour Thursday and I'm nursing a big glass of Cab-sav. 

Shalom. 

Snow pics from the south. Part 2.

 

The accompanying video was sent to grandchildren. 

Disclaimer: this creates a bit of an optical illusion that the snow is deeper than it is. Photo was taken at ground level. We had 3-4 inches.

I'm laughing. He just had to shovel snow. 

Awaiting spring. 

Yes, I think there are three house shots. You simply must have every angle covered. 

Snow pics from the south. Part 1.

 I am slightly surprised how long it has been since I posted. I can not account for the delay suffice it to say we have been unbusy bidding our time waiting for our vaccinations. 

Can they get here already? 

When the weathermen call for little to no accumulation...